264 TRADING WITH AN OLD WOMAN. 



In the midst of some forty huts stood a clmnp of 

 five large trees, where we took up our position, 

 packing the kit closely together. Two men were 

 sent to catch fowls, and seven were captured in a few 

 minutes. A fire was then lighted, and cooking com- 

 menced. About half an hour had elapsed from the 

 time we entered the village, when an old woman was 

 seen mooning about. Chinsoro went and spoke to 

 her, and she walked back with him to where I was 

 standing under the trees. I explained to her that she 

 had no reason to be frightened — that we were friends, 

 not foes. Showing her the fowls we had procured, I 

 gave her ample payment for them m calico ; and the 

 old lady was delighted, saying the people were all 

 fools to run away. She then left, and in a few 

 minutes returned, bringing a quantity of eggs, which 

 being quickly purchased, she went, in great glee, in 

 search of some of her runaway tribe. 



It was soon very dark, so I posted Moloka and 

 Chippootoola in different places on the look-out, some 

 distance from our fire, lest we should be attacked 

 while Chinsoro and I in our harness cooked dinner. 

 The moon soon rose and shone brightly. Just about 

 this time the old lady returned with five men (their 

 approach ha\dng been reported by the vigilant Mo- 

 loka), and the party sat down within a few yards of 

 us, close to each other. I asked them why they 

 were afraid of me, but neither Chinsoro nor Moloka 

 could get a word out of one of them, they were so 

 frightened. Some more men arrived shortly, and sat 

 by the others. Having asked for two more fowl, 

 which were quickly brought and purchased, the 



